SOS Children’s Villages continues its efforts in Chile reaching out to the children devastated by the massive 8.8 earthquake that hit just of the coast of the Maule region on the 27th of February.

As of today, SOS Chile reports that they have been operating  5 day care centres located in; Iglesia Cristo Rey, Iglesia Bautista, Sector Juan Pablo II, Población Agüita de la Perdiz, Communal Centre “Los Grillitos” which continue to help 700 children in need.

The children are receiving emotional support and a make-shift community while they wait for classes to begin in April.

SOS has coordinated with National Board of Kindergartens (JUNJI) and Youth Welfare Authority (SENAME) which were in operation in Conception previous to the quake and have been able to deliver government provided food rations to those in immediate need.

The city of Concepción, along with many small villages in the surrounding area struggle to get fresh water and food supplies, in many cases the products have all been destroyed and access to food stores is limited, the supplies not nearly meeting the high demand.

Victor Beltrán, the director of SOS Children’s Villages Chile has been travelling to other day-cares and meeting with community leaders.  Often, in the more remote villages SOS has been the first organisation to arrive after the earthquake. The leaders are happy to have the support of the Children’s Villages and have even showcased a film at a recent meeting of local authorities, explaining and endorsing the work of SOS.

The national TV channel “Televisión Nacional de Chile” highlighted SOS Children’s Villages as the only organisation working directly with and for children. This report will certainly open up new broadcasting possibilities for the work done by the organisation in the national media.

UPDATE

Since goallover.org reported on this story, SOS has continued to support communities throughout Chile.  They are pleased to report that the Conception location currently serves 770 children daily and 280 families, 80 of which have received specialized psychological support an aftercare.

On April 30th a 6.2 magnitude aftershock woke the community in Conception causing power outages in six locations.  The city was startled back into a state of alarm, but no deaths or substantial damage was reported.  The second phase of the relief plan is underway and SOS is working to include the community in these programmes in order to make them self-sustaining.  SOS continues its efforts and will not withdraw support until these programmes are completely self-sufficient.

SOS AMERICAS CHILD